Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Alabama

Change Region

comments

South Alabama's Joey Jones doesn't have to go far to find new defensive coordinator Travis Pearson

SOUTH_ALABAMA_SPRING_FOOTBALL_PRACTICE_MARCH_26__2_18098861.JPG

New South Alabama defensive coordinator Travis Pearson directs player during a practice session last season as the Jaguars' inside linebackers coach. He replaces Kevin Sherrer who left the Jags' program to accept a job on the University of Georgia staff. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)

Pearson, 42, has been named to replace Kevin Sherrer, who left the position after one season to accept a post on the University of Georgia defensive staff coaching linebackers.

"First of all, Travis Pearson is a heck of a football coach and he's a great person,'' head coach Joey Jones said of the hire. "I felt like keeping the continuity from last year's defense going into this year gives stability for our players, who I believe will respond in a positive way next year. Coach Pearson is a great leader and the players have a great deal of respect for him.''

Pearson said he is pleased to move up to the defensive coordinator's position.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity,'' Person said. "I'm really thankful and blessed that coach Jones had the confidence enough to talk to me about it and to carry one what was accomplished last season, because Kevin did an awesome job with it. I'm just really excited and I feel really good.

"I hope the continuity means a lot because the players know me and they know not much will change. They know exactly who I am and they know my character and coaching style. I hope it goes well for them and comes out for the better.''

Pearson said he doesn't anticipate many changes to the defensive scheme under his leadership that Sherrer put into place last year.

"We're going to keep this ball rolling,'' he said. "Kevin did so many good things with it and there's a familiarity for the kids, so I want them knowing what's going on. I just want them out their running and running really fast and knowing where they are going. I'm going to keep it as simple as possible because I want them hitting and running and the only way to do that is to know where you're going.''

Pearson said he recognizes the responsibility that comes with his new position.

"It's going to be a big task, a great task,'' he said. "Those are things that come with the territory and I understand that. I'm just thankful that I have this opportunity. I've coached for a long, long time and I think that my expertise and the things that I've learned - and I'm definitely not done learning; I'll go everywhere and anywhere to learn more. That being said, I think this is an opportunity that I've been prepared for.''

Pearson's promotion comes just a few days before national signing day and leaves Jones with three remaining hires to fill out his 2014 staff. He is expected to name a new wide receivers coach early next week to replace Jerry Mack, who accepted the position of head coach at North Carolina Central University. Jones must also hire a new quarterbacks coach to fill the role left vacant when Bryant Vincent took the offensive coordinator's job at UAB under former South Alabama defensive coordinator and now UAB head coach Bill Clark.

Jones must also hire someone to fill the vacant spot on the defensive staff created by Sherrer's departure. Likely, Jones will hire a secondary coach -- the position under Sherrer's direction last season -- which would leave all other defensive responsibilities from a year ago the same. That includes Brian Turner as defensive line coach and Freddie Roach as outside linebackers/defensive ends coach. Pearson coached inside linebackers and is expected to continue in that role next season unless responsibilities are shuffled after the staff is completed.

Pearson arrived at South Alabama from Colquitt County, Ga., High School where he was an assistant coach for two seasons. Prior to that, Pearson was head coach at Jeff Davis High in Montgomery (2009-10), director of football operations at Iowa State (2007-08), assistant coach at Oxford High School (2005-06), assistant coach and head coach at Elmore County High (2000-04, 02-04 as head coach) and head coach at Central of Hayneville High (19998-99).

He played safety for three seasons at Alabama State, receiving his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1997. Pearson and his wife Maria have three children -- Marissa, Travis II and Trevor.